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Dive into the refreshing world of authentic Finnish long drinks as we welcome the team behind Lancaro to the Man Cave Happy Hour. This eye-opening conversation reveals how a paralyzed founder's dream evolved into a mission-driven beverage company revolutionizing the ready-to-drink market with clean, natural flavors.

Discover the fascinating history behind Finland's national cocktail, born during the 1952 Olympics as an efficient way to serve refreshing gin drinks to thirsty visitors. You'll learn how Lancaro transformed this traditional recipe into something uniquely their own, tackling the notorious "cloying sweetness" problem that plagues most canned cocktails. The team's passionate flavor scientist breaks down their meticulous development process, explaining how they create drinks that maintain their aromatic qualities even over ice – a rarity in the RTD world.

What truly sets this brand apart is their Lumi line – completely unsweetened cocktails at just 96 calories that rely solely on sophisticated flavor development rather than sugar or artificial sweeteners. The founders challenge listeners to scrutinize labels and understand industry terminology tricks, highlighting how "no sugar" often means artificial ingredients are lurking inside. Through their transparent approach and commitment to quality, Lancaro offers everything from traditional grapefruit to innovative flavors like dragon fruit, pineapple, and white peach.

Beyond creating exceptional products, Lancaro supports Next Step Fitness, a non-profit organization founded by Yanni after his diving accident left him paralyzed. With locations across the US and internationally, Next Step provides specialized gym facilities helping those with paralysis regain mobility and hope. Try Lancaro yourself – now available at Kroger and experience how good intentions and meticulous craftsmanship create truly remarkable drinks.

https://loncaro.com/

Mrs.Vino

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

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Blindfolds, cocktails, and murder – what more could you want from a dinner party? Creator Jill Bell joins us to reveal the story behind "Murder on the Rocks," the cocktail party murder mystery game that's completely reinventing game night.

With a PhD in cybersecurity and experience as a firefighter, Jill never expected to become a game designer. Yet her creation just funded at an astonishing 985% on Kickstarter, proving there's serious thirst for innovative party games that combine adult beverages with clever gameplay mechanics. What makes this game special? Unlike traditional one-and-done mystery boxes, Murder on the Rocks features beautifully illustrated clue cards designed for multiple interpretations, making every playthrough a unique experience.

The game works brilliantly in its simplicity: players attend a masquerade party at Whiskey Ridge Manor, don blindfolds during a "dance party" phase, and the designated murderer secretly "poisons" someone's drink – typically with grenadine to simulate blood. The victim then receives cryptic clue cards that may or may not point to the killer's identity. As Jill explains, "It's all about strategy... do you want to try and spread out the game?" The murderer walks a delicate line between misleading other players while avoiding suspicion themselves.

We explore the stunning artwork created by illustrator Zoe Almond-Job, the character-themed signature cocktails, and even get a sneak peek at Jill's next project – "Shots at Sundown," a Wild West-themed drinking game where your cocktail serves as ammunition in gunslinging duels. Whether you're a murder podcast enthusiast or simply looking for your next game night obsession, this conversation will have you reaching for both the cocktail shaker and your detective hat.

Murder on the Rocks will be available in 2024, with late pledges still open on Kickstarter. Visit MisfitMixers.com to learn more about this killer combination of mystery and mixology!

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com

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Dive into a cocktail experiment gone hilariously wrong as we tackle the Kalimotxo—an unusual Spanish drink that mixes red wine with Coca-Cola. This strange combination dates back to the 1920s when festival organizers in Spain discovered their wine was terrible and desperately needed a fix. Their solution? Mask it with Coca-Cola, creating what we dub "the original Fyre Festival of cocktails."

We explore the Tempranillo wine used in our experiment, discussing the rich characteristics of this Spanish grape variety known for its full body and deep ruby color. Despite our best efforts (and even adding bitters and lemon), the verdict is unanimous—some cocktails exist more as cautionary tales than recommendations. As Matt perfectly puts it, it's "like a mistake that you just drink."

The episode takes an exciting turn when we unbox "Murder on the Rocks," a cocktail-themed murder mystery game featuring characters like Ginny Tonic and Absinthe Abby. Get a sneak peek at our upcoming game night where we'll be joined by the game's creator to solve mysteries while mixing drinks.

Between sips and laughs, we share plenty of dad jokes (including one that August has been saving for 42 years), discuss Pride Month celebrations, and preview our packed schedule of upcoming episodes.

Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast curious about unusual drink combinations or simply enjoy our brand of spirited conversation, this episode offers plenty of laughs, lessons about what NOT to mix, and a reminder that sometimes the best discoveries come from trying something new—even when the results aren't what you expected!

https://linktr.ee/ManCaveHappyHour

www.ManCaveHappyHour.com

Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com